Presenting an Older Home For Sale – Money and Time Savers
The triple threat when it comes to presenting any home for sale is the kitchen, bathrooms and street appeal. It is in these areas that buyers emotions are most heightened. The psychology may have something to do with first impressions on street appeal, and the sense of confidence a buyer may feel in property as a whole when influenced by a positive reaction to the bathroom and kitchen.
If you intend to make some cosmetic improvements to your property before putting it on the market, consider the potential of some of the following money and time savers.
To Paint or Pressure Wash the Soffits
The most common colour for a soffit is a variation on white or cream. Being an external surface, a blackening of the paint can often appear after a few years. In many instances this is a powdery mould, brought about by prolonged atmospheric condensation, humidity and other weather factors. Before getting a quote to have these repainted, see if they come up with a wipe down or pressure wash.
A clean is much cheaper than a repaint. It can take days to paint soffits, plus the cost of scaffold, and paint. A pressure wash can end up a lot cheaper and in some cases look just as good. Just make sure the paint is healthy enough to withstand a pressure hosing and not aged to the point where it will flake off.
Sprucing the Bathroom and Kitchen
If you have dated looking tiles, consider the value of painting them rather than completely retiling. Tile paint sets hard and lasts. If a buyer wants to retile, they can make their own design decisions. A nice bright clean white is a good choice in the bathroom, making an enclosed space seem larger.
Laminate paint may also be a great option to freshen up your kitchen benchtops and cabinets. Hiring a professional painter is cheaper than replacing cabinetry and less risky if you are not confident with the two part process of tile and laminate painting. The general rule is 1 litre offers between 10 and 12 metres coverage. There is a primer you will need and a top coat. Cans of these will cost between about $65 to $95 dollars a litre. Also, replacing the cabinet handles with a modern, metallic style of handle can also update the feel of the kitchen space.
The Bath Tub
If the bath tub is looking rusty and needs tending to, there is the option to replace it or to re-enamel. Re-enameling the bath tub can cost as much as a new bath tub but remember, if your bath tub is fully replaced and set in a tiled hub, you will likely need to replace that also. Many bath tubs are encapsulated in a wooden frame, which is custom built around it. This means you will also need to employ a carpenter as well as a plumber if you were to replace it and also a tiler to seal the unit.
If the bath tub is beyond repainting and must be replaced, consider an all-in-one standalone bathtub. You can find one between $650 to $1500 and beyond. They look good and may well be a sensible option for you. Of course, your current floor and sub-strata may have its own issues underneath the tub. It may need to be re-tiled, waterproofed or floored depending on your situation. Our recommendations are to find out what you are dealing with in the planning stages to avoid any costly surprises here.
The important thing to remember is: don’t over capitalise. Get the most you can out of your sale by ensuring the cost of your beautifully presented home returns dividends.
